5G new radio unlicensed band cell access

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a wireless device to perform methods to implement mechanisms for non-stand-alone unlicensed band cells that support single carrier capable UEs. A UE may camp on a licensed band cell of a RAN and transmit a request to connect. The UE may receive, from the licensed band cell, a connection setup message indicating a switch to an unlicensed band cell of the RAN and receive, from the unlicensed band cell, a reference signal. The UE may transmit to the unlicensed band cell and in response to confirming, based at least in part of the reference signal, radio quality and/or downlink timing of the unlicensed band cell, a connection complete/connection resume message.

PRIORITY DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/557,049, titled “5G New Radio Unlicensed Band Cell Access”, fieldAug. 30, 2019, and which claims benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/754,647, titled “5G New Radio Unlicensed BandCell Access”, filed Nov. 2, 2018, each of which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forthherein.

The claims in the instant application are different than those of theparent application and/or other related applications. The Applicanttherefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parentapplication and/or any predecessor application in relation to theinstant application. Any such previous disclaimer and the citedreferences that it was made to avoid, may need to be revisited. Further,any disclaimer made in the instant application should not be read intoor against the parent application and/or other related applications.

FIELD

The present application relates to wireless devices, and moreparticularly to apparatus, systems, and methods for non-stand-aloneunlicensed band cells to support single carrier capable UEs in a fifthgeneration (5G) New Radio (NR) network.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Wireless communication systems are rapidly growing in usage. In recentyears, wireless devices such as smart phones and tablet computers havebecome increasingly sophisticated. In addition to supporting telephonecalls, many mobile devices now provide access to the internet, email,text messaging, and navigation using the global positioning system(GPS), and are capable of operating sophisticated applications thatutilize these functionalities.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) has become the technology of choice for themajority of wireless network operators worldwide, providing mobilebroadband data and high-speed Internet access to their subscriber base.LTE defines a number of downlink (DL) physical channels, categorized astransport or control channels, to carry information blocks received frommedium access control (MAC) and higher layers. LTE also defines a numberof physical layer channels for the uplink (UL).

For example, LTE defines a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) as aDL transport channel. The PDSCH is the main data-bearing channelallocated to users on a dynamic and opportunistic basis. The PDSCHcarries data in Transport Blocks (TB) corresponding to a MAC protocoldata unit (PDU), passed from the MAC layer to the physical (PHY) layeronce per Transmission Time Interval (TTI). The PDSCH is also used totransmit broadcast information such as System Information Blocks (SIB)and paging messages.

As another example, LTE defines a Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH) as a DL control channel that carries the resource assignment forUEs that are contained in a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.Multiple PDCCHs can be transmitted in the same subframe using ControlChannel Elements (CCE) comprised of Resource Element Groups (REG). ThePDCCH employs quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation, with fourQPSK symbols mapped to each REG. Furthermore, 1, 2, 4, or 8 CCEs can beused for a UE, depending on channel conditions, to ensure sufficientrobustness.

Additionally, LTE defines a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) as aUL channel shared by all devices (user equipment, UE) in a radio cell totransmit user data to the network. The scheduling for all UEs is undercontrol of the LTE base station (enhanced Node B, or eNB). The eNB usesthe uplink scheduling grant (DCI format 0) to inform the UE aboutresource block (RB) assignment, and the modulation and coding scheme tobe used. PUSCH typically supports QPSK and quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM). In addition to user data, the PUSCH also carries anycontrol information necessary to decode the information, such astransport format indicators and multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO)parameters. Control data is multiplexed with information data prior todigital Fourier transform (DFT) spreading.

A proposed next telecommunications standard moving beyond the currentInternational Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-Advanced)Standards is called 5th generation mobile networks or 5th generationwireless systems, or 5G for short (otherwise known as 5G-NR for 5G NewRadio, also simply referred to as NR). 5G-NR proposes a higher capacityfor a higher density of mobile broadband users, also supportingdevice-to-device, ultra-reliable, and massive machine communications, aswell as lower latency and lower battery consumption, than current LTEstandards. Further, the 5G-NR standard may allow for less restrictive UEscheduling as compared to current LTE standards as well as access tounlicensed bands (e.g., via unlicensed band cells).

SUMMARY

Embodiments relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for access tounlicensed bands via cells associated with a fifth generation (5G) NewRadio (NR) network.

In some embodiments, a user equipment device (UE) may camp on a licensedband cell of a radio access network (RAN) and transmit, to the licensedband cell and in response to receiving first information from thelicensed band cell, a request to connect to the licensed band cell. TheUE may receive, from the licensed band cell, a connection setup messageindicating a switch to an unlicensed band cell of the RAN and receive,from the unlicensed band cell, a reference signal. The UE may transmitto the unlicensed band cell and in response to confirming, based atleast in part of the reference signal, radio quality and/or downlinktiming of the unlicensed band cell, a connection complete/connectionresume message. In some embodiments, the UE may perform datatransmissions with the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, the UEmay transmit, to the licensed band cell and in response to confirming,based at least in part of the reference signal, radio quality and/ordownlink timing of the unlicensed band cell is not satisfactory, aconnection complete/connection resume message and perform datatransmissions with the licensed band cell. In some embodiments, a basestation (e.g., a 5G NR base station) may support both the licensed bandcell and the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, switching the UEto the unlicensed band cell may be based, at least in part, on any, anycombination of, and/or all of a network policy, (current) network loadand/or network traffic condition, a capability of the UE (e.g., singlecarrier capable), and/or a position of the UE (e.g., relative to boththe licensed and unlicensed band cell). In some embodiments, theconnection setup message may indicate any, any combination of, and/orall of an identifier for the unlicensed band cell, a cell radio networktemporary identifier (C-RNTI) for the unlicensed band cell, and/orconfiguration requirements for CONNECTED mode on the unlicensed bandcell.

In some embodiments, a network node, network entity or functional entitycomprised within the network entity and/or within the network node maybe configured to perform methods for UE access to unlicensed bands viacells associated with a fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) network. Insome embodiments, a network node (or entity) may broadcast cellinformation and receive, from a UE camping on a licensed band cell, arequest to connect to the licensed band cell. The network node (orentity) may determine, based in part on one or more factors, to directthe UE to connect to an unlicensed band cell within range of the UE andtransmit, to the unlicensed band cell, a request to switch the UE to theunlicensed band cell. The network node (or entity) may receive from theunlicensed band cell, configuration information for the unlicensed bandcell and transmit, to the UE, a setup message indicating the switch tothe unlicensed band cell and the configuration information for theunlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, the network node (or entity)may receive, from the UE, a connection complete message, wherein theconnection complete message indicates a failure of the UE to connect tothe unlicensed band cell and perform, with the UE, data transmissions.In some embodiments, a base station (e.g., a 5G NR base station) maysupport both the licensed band cell and the unlicensed band cell. Insome embodiments, switching the UE to the unlicensed band cell may bebased, at least in part, on any, any combination of, and/or all of anetwork policy, (current) network load and/or network traffic condition,a capability of the UE (e.g., single carrier capable), and/or a positionof the UE (e.g., relative to both the licensed and unlicensed bandcell). In some embodiments, the connection setup message may indicateany, any combination of, and/or all of an identifier for the unlicensedband cell, a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for theunlicensed band cell, and/or configuration requirements for CONNECTEDmode on the unlicensed band cell.

In some embodiments, a network node (or entity) may receive, from alicensed band cell, a request to switch a UE camped on the licensed bandcell to an unlicensed band cell. The network node (or entity) maytransmit, to the licensed band cell, configuration information for theunlicensed band cell and transmit, to the UE, a reference signal. Thenetwork node (or entity) may receive, from the UE, a connectioncomplete/connection resume message. In some embodiments, the networknode (or entity) may perform data transmissions with the UE. In someembodiments, a base station (e.g., a 5G NR base station) may supportboth the licensed band cell and the unlicensed band cell. In someembodiments, switching the UE to the unlicensed band cell may be based,at least in part, on any, any combination of, and/or all of a networkpolicy, (current) network load and/or network traffic condition, acapability of the UE (e.g., single carrier capable), and/or a positionof the UE (e.g., relative to both the licensed and unlicensed bandcell). In some embodiments, the connection setup message may indicateany, any combination of, and/or all of an identifier for the unlicensedband cell, a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for theunlicensed band cell, and/or configuration requirements for CONNECTEDmode on the unlicensed band cell.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in and/or used with anumber of different types of devices, including but not limited tocellular phones, tablet computers, wearable computing devices, portablemedia players, and any of various other computing devices.

This Summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of thesubject matter described in this document. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that the above-described features are merely examples andshould not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subjectmatter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, andadvantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparentfrom the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present subject matter can be obtainedwhen the following detailed description of various embodiments isconsidered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an example wireless communication system accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example of a base station (BS) and an accesspoint in communication with a user equipment (UE) device according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of a WLAN AccessPoint (AP), according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a UE according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a BS according to someembodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example block diagram of cellular communicationcircuitry, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of connections between an EPC network, anLTE base station (eNB), and a 5G NR base station (gNB).

FIG. 6B illustrates an example of a protocol stack for an eNB and a gNB.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a 5G network architecture thatincorporates both 3GPP (e.g., cellular) and non-3GPP (e.g.,non-cellular) access to the 5G CN, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a 5G network architecture thatincorporates both dual 3GPP (e.g., LTE/eLTE and 5G NR) access andnon-3GPP access to the 5G CN, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a baseband processor architecture for aUE, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a possible deployment of licensed and unlicensed bandcells.

FIG. 10 illustrates a possible deployment of licensed and unlicensedband cells, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate signaling diagrams of examples of signalingfor a licensed band cell to redirect a user equipment device to anunlicensed band cell, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate signaling diagrams of examples of signalingfor an unlicensed band cell to release a user equipment device to alicensed band cell, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates another possible deployment of licensed andunlicensed band cells, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates a signaling diagram of example of signaling for auser equipment device to initiate access to an unlicensed band cell,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15A illustrates a block diagram of an example of a method for a UEto switch from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed band cell,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15B illustrates a block diagram of an example of a method for anetwork to switch a UE from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed bandcell, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16A illustrates a block diagram of another example of a method fora UE to switch from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed band cell,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16B illustrates a block diagram of another example of a method fora network to switch a UE from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed bandcell, according to some embodiments.

While the features described herein may be susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described indetail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to be limiting to the particularform disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Terms

The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

Memory Medium—Any of various types of non-transitory memory devices orstorage devices. The term “memory medium” is intended to include aninstallation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks, or tape device; acomputer system memory or random-access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM,SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; a non-volatile memory such as a Flash,magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, or optical storage; registers, orother similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium mayinclude other types of non-transitory memory as well or combinationsthereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in a firstcomputer system in which the programs are executed, or may be located ina second different computer system which connects to the first computersystem over a network, such as the Internet. In the latter instance, thesecond computer system may provide program instructions to the firstcomputer for execution. The term “memory medium” may include two or morememory mediums which may reside in different locations, e.g., indifferent computer systems that are connected over a network. The memorymedium may store program instructions (e.g., embodied as computerprograms) that may be executed by one or more processors.

Carrier Medium—a memory medium as described above, as well as a physicaltransmission medium, such as a bus, network, and/or other physicaltransmission medium that conveys signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals.

Programmable Hardware Element—includes various hardware devicescomprising multiple programmable function blocks connected via aprogrammable interconnect. Examples include FPGAs (Field ProgrammableGate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (FieldProgrammable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). The programmablefunction blocks may range from fine grained (combinatorial logic or lookup tables) to coarse grained (arithmetic logic units or processorcores). A programmable hardware element may also be referred to as“reconfigurable logic”.

Computer System—any of various types of computing or processing systems,including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system,workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digitalassistant (PDA), television system, grid computing system, or otherdevice or combinations of devices. In general, the term “computersystem” can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combinationof devices) having at least one processor that executes instructionsfrom a memory medium.

User Equipment (UE) (or “UE Device”)—any of various types of computersystems devices which are mobile or portable and which performs wirelesscommunications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones orsmart phones (e.g., iPhone™, Android™-based phones), portable gamingdevices (e.g., Nintendo DS™ PlayStation Portable™, Gameboy Advance™,iPhone™), laptops, wearable devices (e.g. smart watch, smart glasses),PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices, orother handheld devices, etc. In general, the term “UE” or “UE device”can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and/ortelecommunications device (or combination of devices) which is easilytransported by a user and capable of wireless communication.

Base Station—The term “Base Station” has the full breadth of itsordinary meaning, and at least includes a wireless communication stationinstalled at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of awireless telephone system or radio system.

Processing Element—refers to various elements or combinations ofelements that are capable of performing a function in a device, such asa user equipment or a cellular network device. Processing elements mayinclude, for example: processors and associated memory, portions orcircuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores,processor arrays, circuits such as an ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit), programmable hardware elements such as a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), as well any of various combinations ofthe above.

Channel—a medium used to convey information from a sender (transmitter)to a receiver. It should be noted that since characteristics of the term“channel” may differ according to different wireless protocols, the term“channel” as used herein may be considered as being used in a mannerthat is consistent with the standard of the type of device withreference to which the term is used. In some standards, channel widthsmay be variable (e.g., depending on device capability, band conditions,etc.). For example, LTE may support scalable channel bandwidths from 1.4MHz to 20 MHz. In contrast, WLAN channels may be 22 MHz wide whileBluetooth channels may be 1 Mhz wide. Other protocols and standards mayinclude different definitions of channels. Furthermore, some standardsmay define and use multiple types of channels, e.g., different channelsfor uplink or downlink and/or different channels for different uses suchas data, control information, etc.

Band—The term “band” has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, andat least includes a section of spectrum (e.g., radio frequency spectrum)in which channels are used or set aside for the same purpose.

Automatically—refers to an action or operation performed by a computersystem (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g.,circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.), without userinput directly specifying or performing the action or operation. Thus,the term “automatically” is in contrast to an operation being manuallyperformed or specified by the user, where the user provides input todirectly perform the operation. An automatic procedure may be initiatedby input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions that areperformed “automatically” are not specified by the user, i.e., are notperformed “manually”, where the user specifies each action to perform.For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting eachfield and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typinginformation, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) is fillingout the form manually, even though the computer system must update theform in response to the user actions. The form may be automaticallyfilled out by the computer system where the computer system (e.g.,software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of theform and fills in the form without any user input specifying the answersto the fields. As indicated above, the user may invoke the automaticfilling of the form, but is not involved in the actual filling of theform (e.g., the user is not manually specifying answers to fields butrather they are being automatically completed). The presentspecification provides various examples of operations beingautomatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.

Approximately—refers to a value that is almost correct or exact. Forexample, approximately may refer to a value that is within 1 to 10percent of the exact (or desired) value. It should be noted, however,that the actual threshold value (or tolerance) may be applicationdependent. For example, in some embodiments, “approximately” may meanwithin 0.1% of some specified or desired value, while in various otherembodiments, the threshold may be, for example, 2%, 3%, 5%, and soforth, as desired or as required by the particular application.

Concurrent—refers to parallel execution or performance, where tasks,processes, or programs are performed in an at least partiallyoverlapping manner. For example, concurrency may be implemented using“strong” or strict parallelism, where tasks are performed (at leastpartially) in parallel on respective computational elements, or using“weak parallelism”, where the tasks are performed in an interleavedmanner, e.g., by time multiplexing of execution threads.

Various components may be described as “configured to” perform a task ortasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broad recitation generallymeaning “having structure that” performs the task or tasks duringoperation. As such, the component can be configured to perform the taskeven when the component is not currently performing that task (e.g., aset of electrical conductors may be configured to electrically connect amodule to another module, even when the two modules are not connected).In some contexts, “configured to” may be a broad recitation of structuregenerally meaning “having circuitry that” performs the task or tasksduring operation. As such, the component can be configured to performthe task even when the component is not currently on. In general, thecircuitry that forms the structure corresponding to “configured to” mayinclude hardware circuits.

Various components may be described as performing a task or tasks, forconvenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpretedas including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a component that isconfigured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not toinvoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) interpretation for that component.

FIGS. 1A and 1B—Communication Systems

FIG. 1A illustrates a simplified example wireless communication system,according to some embodiments. It is noted that the system of FIG. 1 ismerely one example of a possible system, and that features of thisdisclosure may be implemented in any of various systems, as desired.

As shown, the example wireless communication system includes a basestation 102A which communicates over a transmission medium with one ormore user devices 106A, 106B, etc., through 106N. Each of the userdevices may be referred to herein as a “user equipment” (UE). Thus, theuser devices 106 are referred to as UEs or UE devices.

The base station (BS) 102A may be a base transceiver station (BTS) orcell site (a “cellular base station”) and may include hardware thatenables wireless communication with the UEs 106A through 106N.

The communication area (or coverage area) of the base station may bereferred to as a “cell.” The base station 102A and the UEs 106 may beconfigured to communicate over the transmission medium using any ofvarious radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wirelesscommunication technologies, or telecommunication standards, such as GSM,UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces),LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), eLTE, 5G new radio (5G NR), HSPA, 3GPP2CDMA2000 (e.g., 1×RTT, 1×EV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc. Note that if the basestation 102A is implemented in the context of LTE, it may alternately bereferred to as an ‘eNodeB’ or eNB′. Note that if the base station 102Ais implemented in the context of 5G NR, it may alternately be referredto as ‘gNodeB’ or ‘gNB’.

As shown, the base station 102A may also be equipped to communicate witha network 100 (e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider, atelecommunication network such as a public switched telephone network(PSTN), and/or the Internet, among various possibilities). Thus, thebase station 102A may facilitate communication between the user devicesand/or between the user devices and the network 100. In particular, thecellular base station 102A may provide UEs 106 with varioustelecommunication capabilities, such as voice, SMS and/or data services.

Base station 102A and other similar base stations (such as base stations102B . . . 102N) operating according to the same or a different cellularcommunication standard may thus be provided as a network of cells, whichmay provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs106A-N and similar devices over a geographic area via one or morecellular communication standards.

Thus, while base station 102A may act as a “serving cell” for UEs 106A-Nas illustrated in FIG. 1 , each UE 106 may also be capable of receivingsignals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or moreother cells (which might be provided by base stations 102B-N and/or anyother base stations), which may be referred to as “neighboring cells”.Such cells may also be capable of facilitating communication betweenuser devices and/or between user devices and the network 100. Such cellsmay include “macro” cells, “micro” cells, “pico” cells, and/or cellswhich provide any of various other granularities of service area size.For example, base stations 102A-B illustrated in FIG. 1 might be macrocells, while base station 102N might be a micro cell. Otherconfigurations are also possible.

In some embodiments, base station 102A may be a next generation basestation, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or “gNB”. In someembodiments, a gNB may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core(EPC) network and/or to a NR core (NRC) network. In addition, a gNB cellmay include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Inaddition, a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR may be connectedto one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

Note that a UE 106 may be capable of communicating using multiplewireless communication standards. For example, the UE 106 may beconfigured to communicate using a wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi)and/or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth,Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.) in addition to at least one cellularcommunication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example,WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, eLTE, 5G NR, HSPA, 3GPP2CDMA2000 (e.g., 1×RTT, 1×EV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.). The UE 106 may alsoor alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more globalnavigational satellite systems (GNSS, e.g., GPS or GLONASS), one or moremobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., ATSC-M/H or DVB-H),and/or any other wireless communication protocol, if desired. Othercombinations of wireless communication standards (including more thantwo wireless communication standards) are also possible.

FIG. 1B illustrates user equipment 106 (e.g., one of the devices 106Athrough 106N) in communication with a base station 102 and an accesspoint 112, according to some embodiments. The UE 106 may be a devicewith both cellular communication capability and non-cellularcommunication capability (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and so forth) such asa mobile phone, a hand-held device, a computer or a tablet, or virtuallyany type of wireless device.

The UE 106 may include a processor that is configured to execute programinstructions stored in memory. The UE 106 may perform any of the methodembodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions.Alternatively, or in addition, the UE 106 may include a programmablehardware element such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) that isconfigured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein, orany portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

The UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using oneor more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In someembodiments, the UE 106 may be configured to communicate using, forexample, CDMA2000 (1×RTT/1×EV-DO/HRPD/eHRPD), LTE/LTE-Advanced, eLTE, or5G NR using a single shared radio and/or GSM, LTE, LTE-Advanced, eLTE or5G NR using the single shared radio. The shared radio may couple to asingle antenna, or may couple to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) forperforming wireless communications. In general, a radio may include anycombination of a baseband processor, analog RF signal processingcircuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers,etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation aswell as other digital processing). Similarly, the radio may implementone or more receive and transmit chains using the aforementionedhardware. For example, the UE 106 may share one or more parts of areceive and/or transmit chain between multiple wireless communicationtechnologies, such as those discussed above.

In some embodiments, the UE 106 may include separate transmit and/orreceive chains (e.g., including separate antennas and other radiocomponents) for each wireless communication protocol with which it isconfigured to communicate. As a further possibility, the UE 106 mayinclude one or more radios which are shared between multiple wirelesscommunication protocols, and one or more radios which are usedexclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example,the UE 106 might include a shared radio for communicating using eitherof LTE/eLTE or 5G NR (or LTE or 1×RTT or LTE or GSM), and separateradios for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Otherconfigurations are also possible.

FIG. 2 —Access Point Block Diagram

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an access point (AP)112. It is noted that the block diagram of the AP of FIG. 2 is only oneexample of a possible system. As shown, the AP 112 may includeprocessor(s) 204 which may execute program instructions for the AP 112.The processor(s) 204 may also be coupled (directly or indirectly) tomemory management unit (MMU) 240, which may be configured to receiveaddresses from the processor(s) 204 and to translate those addresses tolocations in memory (e.g., memory 260 and read only memory (ROM) 250) orto other circuits or devices.

The AP 112 may include at least one network port 270. The network port270 may be configured to couple to a wired network and provide aplurality of devices, such as UEs 106, access to the Internet. Forexample, the network port 270 (or an additional network port) may beconfigured to couple to a local network, such as a home network or anenterprise network. For example, port 270 may be an Ethernet port. Thelocal network may provide connectivity to additional networks, such asthe Internet.

The AP 112 may include at least one antenna 234, which may be configuredto operate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured tocommunicate with UE 106 via wireless communication circuitry 230. Theantenna 234 communicates with the wireless communication circuitry 230via communication chain 232. Communication chain 232 may include one ormore receive chains, one or more transmit chains or both. The wirelesscommunication circuitry 230 may be configured to communicate via Wi-Fior WLAN, e.g., 802.11. The wireless communication circuitry 230 mayalso, or alternatively, be configured to communicate via various otherwireless communication technologies, including, but not limited to, 5GNR, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), eLTE, Global Systemfor Mobile (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA),CDMA2000, etc., for example when the AP is co-located with a basestation in case of a small cell, or in other instances when it may bedesirable for the AP 112 to communicate via various different wirelesscommunication technologies.

In some embodiments, as further described below, an AP 112 may beconfigured to implement methods for non-stand-alone unlicensed bandcells that support single carrier capable UEs, e.g., as furtherdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 —Block Diagram of a UE

FIG. 3 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of acommunication device 106, according to some embodiments. It is notedthat the block diagram of the communication device of FIG. 3 is only oneexample of a possible communication device. According to embodiments,communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobiledevice or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, adesktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., alaptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet and/or acombination of devices, among other devices. As shown, the communicationdevice 106 may include a set of components 300 configured to performcore functions. For example, this set of components may be implementedas a system on chip (SOC), which may include portions for variouspurposes. Alternatively, this set of components 300 may be implementedas separate components or groups of components for the various purposes.The set of components 300 may be coupled (e.g., communicatively;directly or indirectly) to various other circuits of the communicationdevice 106.

For example, the communication device 106 may include various types ofmemory (e.g., including NAND flash 310), an input/output interface suchas connector I/F 320 (e.g., for connecting to a computer system; dock;charging station; input devices, such as a microphone, camera, keyboard;output devices, such as speakers; etc.), the display 360, which may beintegrated with or external to the communication device 106, andcellular communication circuitry 330 such as for 5G NR, eLTE, LTE, GSM,etc., and short to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329(e.g., Bluetooth™ and WLAN circuitry). In some embodiments,communication device 106 may include wired communication circuitry (notshown), such as a network interface card, e.g., for Ethernet.

The cellular communication circuitry 330 may couple (e.g.,communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, suchas antennas 335 and 336 as shown. The short to medium range wirelesscommunication circuitry 329 may also couple (e.g., communicatively;directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas 337and 338 as shown. Alternatively, the short to medium range wirelesscommunication circuitry 329 may couple (e.g., communicatively; directlyor indirectly) to the antennas 335 and 336 in addition to, or insteadof, coupling (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to theantennas 337 and 338. The short to medium range wireless communicationcircuitry 329 and/or cellular communication circuitry 330 may includemultiple receive chains and/or multiple transmit chains for receivingand/or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in amultiple-input multiple output (MIMO) configuration.

In some embodiments, as further described below, cellular communicationcircuitry 330 may include dedicated receive chains (including and/orcoupled to, e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly. dedicatedprocessors and/or radios) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chainfor LTE/eLTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). In addition, in someembodiments, cellular communication circuitry 330 may include a singletransmit chain that may be switched between radios dedicated to specificRATs. For example, a first radio may be dedicated to a first RAT, e.g.,LTE/eLTE, and may be in communication with a dedicated receive chain anda transmit chain shared with an additional radio, e.g., a second radiothat may be dedicated to a second RAT, e.g., 5G NR, and may be incommunication with a dedicated receive chain and the shared transmitchain.

The communication device 106 may also include and/or be configured foruse with one or more user interface elements. The user interfaceelements may include any of various elements, such as display 360 (whichmay be a touchscreen display), a keyboard (which may be a discretekeyboard or may be implemented as part of a touchscreen display), amouse, a microphone and/or speakers, one or more cameras, one or morebuttons, and/or any of various other elements capable of providinginformation to a user and/or receiving or interpreting user input.

The communication device 106 may further include one or more smart cards345 that include SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such asone or more UICC(s) (Universal Integrated Circuit Card(s)) cards 345.

As shown, the SOC 300 may include processor(s) 302, which may executeprogram instructions for the communication device 106 and displaycircuitry 304, which may perform graphics processing and provide displaysignals to the display 360. The processor(s) 302 may also be coupled tomemory management unit (MMU) 340, which may be configured to receiveaddresses from the processor(s) 302 and translate those addresses tolocations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read only memory (ROM) 350, NANDflash memory 310) and/or to other circuits or devices, such as thedisplay circuitry 304, short to medium range wireless communicationcircuitry 329, cellular communication circuitry 330, connector I/F 320,and/or display 360. The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memoryprotection and page table translation or set up. In some embodiments,the MMU 340 may be included as a portion of the processor(s) 302.

As noted above, the communication device 106 may be configured tocommunicate using wireless and/or wired communication circuitry. Thecommunication device 106 may be configured to perform methods to improvedual-registration in a 5G NR network, including notification procedureenhancements, dual-registration enhancements, and paging enhancements asfurther described herein.

As described herein, the communication device 106 may include hardwareand software components for implementing the above features for acommunication device 106 to communicate a scheduling profile for powersavings to a network. The processor 302 of the communication device 106may be configured to implement part or all of the features describedherein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memorymedium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium).Alternatively (or in addition), processor 302 may be configured as aprogrammable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable GateArray), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).Alternatively (or in addition) the processor 302 of the communicationdevice 106, in conjunction with one or more of the other components 300,304, 306, 310, 320, 329, 330, 340, 345, 350, 360 may be configured toimplement part or all of the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processor 302 may include one or moreprocessing elements. Thus, processor 302 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof processor 302. In addition, each integrated circuit may includecircuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured toperform the functions of processor(s) 302.

Further, as described herein, cellular communication circuitry 330 andshort to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329 may eachinclude one or more processing elements. In other words, one or moreprocessing elements may be included in cellular communication circuitry330 and, similarly, one or more processing elements may be included inshort to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329. Thus,cellular communication circuitry 330 may include one or more integratedcircuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functions of cellularcommunication circuitry 330. In addition, each integrated circuit mayinclude circuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.)configured to perform the functions of cellular communication circuitry330. Similarly, the short to medium range wireless communicationcircuitry 329 may include one or more ICs that are configured to performthe functions of short to medium range wireless communication circuitry329. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g.,first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured to perform thefunctions of short to medium range wireless communication circuitry 329.

FIG. 4 —Block Diagram of a Base Station

FIG. 4 illustrates an example block diagram of a base station 102,according to some embodiments. It is noted that the base station of FIG.4 is merely one example of a possible base station. As shown, the basestation 102 may include processor(s) 404 which may execute programinstructions for the base station 102. The processor(s) 404 may also becoupled to memory management unit (MMU) 440, which may be configured toreceive addresses from the processor(s) 404 and translate thoseaddresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read only memory(ROM) 450) or to other circuits or devices.

The base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. Thenetwork port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network andprovide a plurality of devices, such as UE devices 106, access to thetelephone network as described above in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also oralternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, e.g., acore network of a cellular service provider. The core network mayprovide mobility related services and/or other services to a pluralityof devices, such as UE devices 106. In some cases, the network port 470may couple to a telephone network via the core network, and/or the corenetwork may provide a telephone network (e.g., among other UE devicesserviced by the cellular service provider).

In some embodiments, base station 102 may be a next generation basestation, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5G NR) base station, or “gNB”. In suchembodiments, base station 102 may be connected to a legacy evolvedpacket core (EPC) network and/or to a NR core (NRC) network. Inaddition, base station 102 may be considered a 5G NR cell and mayinclude one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). In addition,a UE capable of operating according to 5G NR may be connected to one ormore TRPs within one or more gNB s.

The base station 102 may include at least one antenna 434, and possiblymultiple antennas. The at least one antenna 434 may be configured tooperate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured tocommunicate with UE devices 106 via radio 430. The antenna 434communicates with the radio 430 via communication chain 432.Communication chain 432 may be a receive chain, a transmit chain orboth. The radio 430 may be configured to communicate via variouswireless communication standards, including, but not limited to, 5G NR,eLTE, LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, etc.

The base station 102 may be configured to communicate wirelessly usingmultiple wireless communication standards. In some instances, the basestation 102 may include multiple radios, which may enable the basestation 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communicationtechnologies. For example, as one possibility, the base station 102 mayinclude an LTE radio for performing communication according to LTE aswell as a 5G NR radio for performing communication according to 5G NR.In such a case, the base station 102 may be capable of operating as bothan LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. As another possibility,the base station 102 may include a multi-mode radio which is capable ofperforming communications according to any of multiple wirelesscommunication technologies (e.g., 5G NR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTEand UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.).

As described further subsequently herein, the BS 102 may includehardware and software components for implementing or supportingimplementation of features described herein. The processor 404 of thebase station 102 may be configured to implement or supportimplementation of part or all of the methods described herein, e.g., byexecuting program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, theprocessor 404 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, suchas an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively(or in addition) the processor 404 of the BS 102, in conjunction withone or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470may be configured to implement or support implementation of part or allof the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processor(s) 404 may be comprised ofone or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processingelements may be included in processor(s) 404. Thus, processor(s) 404 mayinclude one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that are configured toperform the functions of processor(s) 404. In addition, each integratedcircuit may include circuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry,etc.) configured to perform the functions of processor(s) 404.

Further, as described herein, radio 430 may be comprised of one or moreprocessing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements maybe included in radio 430. Thus, radio 430 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof radio 430. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuitry(e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured to performthe functions of radio 430.

FIG. 5 : Block Diagram of Cellular Communication Circuitry

FIG. 5 illustrates an example simplified block diagram of cellularcommunication circuitry, according to some embodiments. It is noted thatthe block diagram of the cellular communication circuitry of FIG. 5 isonly one example of a possible cellular communication circuit. Accordingto embodiments, cellular communication circuitry 330 may be include in acommunication device, such as communication device 106 described above.As noted above, communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE)device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wirelessstation, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computingdevice (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), atablet and/or a combination of devices, among other devices.

The cellular communication circuitry 330 may couple (e.g.,communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, suchas antennas 335 a-b and 336 as shown (in FIG. 3 ). In some embodiments,cellular communication circuitry 330 may include dedicated receivechains (including and/or coupled to, e.g., communicatively; directly orindirectly. dedicated processors and/or radios) for multiple RATs (e.g.,a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). Forexample, as shown in FIG. 5 , cellular communication circuitry 330 mayinclude a modem 510 and a modem 520. Modem 510 may be configured forcommunications according to a first RAT, e.g., such as eLTE, LTE orLTE-A, and modem 520 may be configured for communications according to asecond RAT, e.g., such as 5G NR.

As shown, modem 510 may include one or more processors 512 and a memory516 in communication with processors 512. Modem 510 may be incommunication with a radio frequency (RF) front end 530. RF front end530 may include circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals.For example, RF front end 530 may include receive circuitry (RX) 532 andtransmit circuitry (TX) 534. In some embodiments, receive circuitry 532may be in communication with downlink (DL) front end 550, which mayinclude circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna 335 a.

Similarly, modem 520 may include one or more processors 522 and a memory526 in communication with processors 522. Modem 520 may be incommunication with an RF front end 540. RF front end 540 may includecircuitry for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, RFfront end 540 may include receive circuitry 542 and transmit circuitry544. In some embodiments, receive circuitry 542 may be in communicationwith DL front end 560, which may include circuitry for receiving radiosignals via antenna 335 b.

In some embodiments, a switch 570 may couple transmit circuitry 534 touplink (UL) front end 572. In addition, switch 570 may couple transmitcircuitry 544 to UL front end 572. UL front end 572 may includecircuitry for transmitting radio signals via antenna 336. Thus, whencellular communication circuitry 330 receives instructions to transmitaccording to the first RAT (e.g., as supported via modem 510), switch570 may be switched to a first state that allows modem 510 to transmitsignals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain thatincludes transmit circuitry 534 and UL front end 572). Similarly, whencellular communication circuitry 330 receives instructions to transmitaccording to the second RAT (e.g., as supported via modem 520), switch570 may be switched to a second state that allows modem 520 to transmitsignals according to the second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain thatincludes transmit circuitry 544 and UL front end 572).

In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry 330 may beconfigured to perform methods to improve dual-registration in a 5G NRnetwork, including notification procedure enhancements,dual-registration enhancements, and paging enhancements as furtherdescribed herein.

As described herein, the modem 510 may include hardware and softwarecomponents for implementing the above features or for time divisionmultiplexing UL data for NSA NR operations, as well as the various othertechniques described herein. The processors 512 may be configured toimplement part or all of the features described herein, e.g., byexecuting program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., anon-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or inaddition), processor 512 may be configured as a programmable hardwareelement, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or inaddition) the processor 512, in conjunction with one or more of theother components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335 and 336 may beconfigured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processors 512 may include one or moreprocessing elements. Thus, processors 512 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof processors 512. In addition, each integrated circuit may includecircuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured toperform the functions of processors 512.

As described herein, the modem 520 may include hardware and softwarecomponents for implementing the above features for communicating ascheduling profile for power savings to a network, as well as thevarious other techniques described herein. The processors 522 may beconfigured to implement part or all of the features described herein,e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g.,a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or inaddition), processor 522 may be configured as a programmable hardwareelement, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or inaddition) the processor 522, in conjunction with one or more of theother components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335 and 336 may beconfigured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

In addition, as described herein, processors 522 may include one or moreprocessing elements. Thus, processors 522 may include one or moreintegrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functionsof processors 522. In addition, each integrated circuit may includecircuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured toperform the functions of processors 522.

5G NR Architecture with LTE

In some implementations, fifth generation (5G) wireless communicationwill initially be deployed concurrently with current wirelesscommunication standards (e.g., LTE). For example, dual connectivitybetween LTE and 5G new radio (5G NR or NR) has been specified as part ofthe initial deployment of NR. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B,evolved packet core (EPC) network 600 may continue to communicate withcurrent LTE base stations (e.g., eNB 602) and/or an evolution of an LTEbase station (e.g., an eLTE eNB 602). In addition, eNB 602 may be incommunication with a 5G NR base station (e.g., gNB 604) and may passdata between the EPC network 600 and gNB 604. Thus, EPC network 600 maybe used (or reused) and gNB 604 may serve as extra capacity for UEs,e.g., for providing increased downlink throughput to UEs. In otherwords, LTE/eLTE may be used for control plane signaling and NR may beused for user plane signaling. Thus, LTE/eLTE may be used to establishconnections to the network and NR may be used for data services.

FIG. 6B illustrates a proposed protocol stack for eNB 602 and gNB 604.As shown, eNB 602 may include a medium access control (MAC) layer 632that interfaces with radio link control (RLC) layers 622 a-b. RLC layer622 a may also interface with packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)layer 612 a and RLC layer 622 b may interface with PDCP layer 612 b.Similar to dual connectivity as specified in LTE-Advanced Release 12,PDCP layer 612 a may interface via a master cell group (MCG) bearer toEPC network 600 whereas PDCP layer 612 b may interface via a splitbearer with EPC network 600.

Additionally, as shown, gNB 604 may include a MAC layer 634 thatinterfaces with RLC layers 624 a-b. RLC layer 624 a may interface withPDCP layer 612 b of eNB 602 via an X2 interface for information exchangeand/or coordination (e.g., scheduling of a UE) between eNB 602 and gNB604. In addition, RLC layer 624 b may interface with PDCP layer 614.Similar to dual connectivity as specified in LTE-Advanced Release 12,PDCP layer 614 may interface with EPC network 600 via a secondary cellgroup (SCG) bearer. Thus, eNB 602 may be considered a master node (MeNB)while gNB 604 may be considered a secondary node (SgNB). In somescenarios, a UE may be required to maintain a connection to both an MeNBand a SgNB. In such scenarios, the MeNB may be used to maintain a radioresource control (RRC) connection to an EPC while the SgNB may be usedfor capacity (e.g., additional downlink and/or uplink throughput).

5G Core Network Architecture—Interworking with Wi-Fi

In some embodiments, the 5G core network (CN) may be accessed via (orthrough) a cellular connection/interface (e.g., via a 3GPP communicationarchitecture/protocol) and a non-cellular connection/interface (e.g., anon-3GPP access architecture/protocol such as Wi-Fi connection). FIG. 7Aillustrates an example of a 5G network architecture that incorporatesboth 3GPP (e.g., cellular) and non-3GPP (e.g., non-cellular) access tothe 5G CN, according to some embodiments. As shown, a user equipmentdevice (e.g., such as UE 106) may access the 5G CN through both a radioaccess network (RAN, e.g., such as gNB or base station 604) and anaccess point, such as AP 112. The AP 112 may include a connection to theInternet 700 as well as a connection to a non-3GPP inter-workingfunction (N3IWF) 702 network entity. The N3IWF may include a connectionto a core access and mobility management function (AMF) 704 of the 5GCN. The AMF 704 may include an instance of a 5G mobility management (5GMM) function associated with the UE 106. In addition, the RAN (e.g., gNB604) may also have a connection to the AMF 704. Thus, the 5G CN maysupport unified authentication over both connections as well as allowsimultaneous registration for UE 106 access via both gNB 604 and AP 112.As shown, the AMF 704 may include one or more functional entitiesassociated with the 5G CN (e.g., network slice selection function (NSSF)720, short message service function (SMSF) 722, application function(AF) 724, unified data management (UDM) 726, policy control function(PCF) 728, and/or authentication server function (AUSF) 730). Note thatthese functional entities may also be supported by a session managementfunction (SMF) 706 a and an SMF 706 b of the 5G CN. The AMF 706 may beconnected to (or in communication with) the SMF 706 a. Further, the gNB604 may in communication with (or connected to) a user plane function(UPF) 708 a that may also be communication with the SMF 706 a.Similarly, the N3IWF 702 may be communicating with a UPF 708 b that mayalso be communicating with the SMF 706 b. Both UPFs may be communicatingwith the data network (e.g., DN 710 a and 710 b) and/or the Internet 700and IMS core network 710.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a 5G network architecture thatincorporates both dual 3GPP (e.g., LTE and 5G NR) access and non-3GPPaccess to the 5G CN, according to some embodiments. As shown, a userequipment device (e.g., such as UE 106) may access the 5G CN throughboth a radio access network (RAN, e.g., such as gNB or base station 604or eNB or base station 602) and an access point, such as AP 112. The AP112 may include a connection to the Internet 700 as well as a connectionto the N3IWF 702 network entity. The N3IWF may include a connection tothe AMF 704 of the 5G CN. The AMF 704 may include an instance of the 5GMM function associated with the UE 106. In addition, the RAN (e.g., gNB604) may also have a connection to the AMF 704. Thus, the 5G CN maysupport unified authentication over both connections as well as allowsimultaneous registration for UE 106 access via both gNB 604 and AP 112.In addition, the 5G CN may support dual-registration of the UE on both alegacy network (e.g., LTE via base station 602) and a 5G network (e.g.,via base station 604). As shown, the base station 602 may haveconnections to a mobility management entity (MME) 742 and a servinggateway (SGW) 744. The MME 742 may have connections to both the SGW 744and the AMF 704. In addition, the SGW 744 may have connections to boththe SMF 706 a and the UPF 708 a. As shown, the AMF 704 may include oneor more functional entities associated with the 5G CN (e.g., NSSF 720,SMSF 722, AF 724, UDM 726, PCF 728, and/or AUSF 730). Note that UDM 726may also include a home subscriber server (HSS) function and the PCF mayalso include a policy and charging rules function (PCRF). Note furtherthat these functional entities may also be supported by the SMF 706 aand the SMF 706 b of the 5G CN. The AMF 706 may be connected to (or incommunication with) the SMF 706 a. Further, the gNB 604 may incommunication with (or connected to) the UPF 708 a that may also becommunication with the SMF 706 a. Similarly, the N3IWF 702 may becommunicating with a UPF 708 b that may also be communicating with theSMF 706 b. Both UPFs may be communicating with the data network (e.g.,DN 710 a and 710 b) and/or the Internet 700 and IMS core network 710.

Note that in various embodiments, one or more of the above describednetwork entities may be configured to perform methods to implementmechanisms for non-stand-alone unlicensed band cells that support singlecarrier capable UEs, e.g., as further described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a baseband processor architecture for aUE (e.g., such as UE 106), according to some embodiments. The basebandprocessor architecture 800 described in FIG. 8 may be implemented on oneor more radios (e.g., radios 329 and/or 330 described above) or modems(e.g., modems 510 and/or 520) as described above. As shown, thenon-access stratum (NAS) 810 may include a 5G NAS 820 and a legacy NAS850. The legacy NAS 850 may include a communication connection with alegacy access stratum (AS) 870. The 5G NAS 820 may include communicationconnections with both a 5G AS 840 and a non-3GPP AS 830 and Wi-Fi AS832. The 5G NAS 820 may include functional entities associated with bothaccess stratums. Thus, the 5G NAS 820 may include multiple 5G MMentities 826 and 828 and 5G session management (SM) entities 822 and824. The legacy NAS 850 may include functional entities such as shortmessage service (SMS) entity 852, evolved packet system (EPS) sessionmanagement (ESM) entity 854, session management (SM) entity 856, EPSmobility management (EMM) entity 858, and mobility management (MM)/GPRSmobility management (GMM) entity 860. In addition, the legacy AS 870 mayinclude functional entities such as LTE AS 872, UMTS AS 874, and/orGSM/GPRS AS 876.

Thus, the baseband processor architecture 800 allows for a common 5G-NASfor both 5G cellular and non-cellular (e.g., non-3GPP access). Note thatas shown, the 5G MM may maintain individual connection management andregistration management state machines for each connection.Additionally, a device (e.g., UE 106) may register to a single PLMN(e.g., 5G CN) using 5G cellular access as well as non-cellular access.Further, it may be possible for the device to be in a connected state inone access and an idle state in another access and vice versa. Finally,there may be common 5G-MM procedures (e.g., registration,de-registration, identification, authentication, as so forth) for bothaccesses.

Note that in various embodiments, one or more of the above describedfunctional entities of the 5G NAS and/or 5G AS may be configured toperform methods to implement mechanisms for non-stand-alone unlicensedband cells that support single carrier capable UEs, e.g., as furtherdescribed herein.

5G NR Unlicensed Band Cell Access and Deployment

As noted above, 5G NR may allow interworking with unlicensed bands viaWi-Fi access (e.g., via a Wi-Fi access point). Thus, in somecontemplated implementations, one or more unlicensed band cells (e.g.,providing access to unlicensed bands) may be co-located within alicensed band cell (e.g., providing access to licensed bands). Forexample, as illustrated by FIG. 9 , a device may, such as device 900,may be located in an unlicensed band cell 902 a, which may beencompassed by a licensed band cell 906. In addition, licensed band cell906 may also encompass unlicensed band cell 902 b. In such scenarios,multiple deployments have been contemplated to allow the device 900 toaccess both the licensed band cell 906 and the unlicensed band cell 902a. For example, in one scenario, device 900 may use carrier aggregationbetween the licensed band cell 906 and the unlicensed band cell 902 a.As another example, device 900 may connect to both the licensed bandcell 906 and the unlicensed band cell 902 a (e.g., dual connectivity).As a further example, the unlicensed band cell 902 a may be astand-alone cell and the device 900 may register with unlicensed bandcell 902 a to gain access to the unlicensed bands. As yet anotherexample, a 5G NR cell may be implemented such that downlink connectionsuse unlicensed bands and uplink connections use licensed bands. Asanother example, device 900 may connect to a legacy cell (e.g., LTElicensed bands) and the unlicensed band cell 902 a (e.g., dualconnectivity). However, for scenarios that would implement carrieraggregation and/or dual connectivity, a device that is not capable ofcarrier aggregation would not be able to access the unlicensed bands. Inother words, a device with single carrier capability would not be ableto access the unlicensed bands. Additionally, for other scenarios (e.g.,stand-alone and/or downlink in unlicensed bands) the unlicensed bandcell may be required to support idle reference signals, systeminformation transmissions, and/or paging transmissions. However,supporting such channel access mechanisms may require compliance withcertain regulations and listen before talk mechanisms (which may delayaccess to the unlicensed bands) may be applied to such channel accesstransmissions leading to additional design complexity. Further,transmissions for idle mode (e.g., SI and/or paging transmissions) mayincrease signaling overhead in the unlicensed band cell and increasecollision probabilities.

Embodiments described herein provided mechanisms for deployment ofnon-stand-alone unlicensed band cells that support single carriercapable UEs (e.g., such as UE 106). In some embodiments, support forsingle carrier capable UEs may be limited to UEs working in a connectedmode. In some embodiments, an unlicensed band cell may not supportpaging and system information transmission. In some embodiments, anunlicensed band cell may support RACH procedures. In some embodiments, aUE, such as UE 106, may camp on a licensed band cell in an IDLE/INACTIVEstate and may access an unlicensed band cell upon entering a CONNECTEDstate. In some embodiments, a UE, such as UE 106 may access a licensedband cell and the licensed band cell may redirect the UE to connect tothe unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, the redirection (orswitching) of the UE to the unlicensed band cell may be based on any,any combination of, and/or all of a network policy, network load (and/ornetwork traffic conditions), a capability of the UE, and/or position(e.g., geographic location) of the UE. In some embodiments, a UE, suchas UE 106 may (also or additionally) access an unlicensed band celldirectly, e.g., without intervention and/or support from a licensed bandcell.

For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a possible deployment of licensed andunlicensed band cells, according to some embodiments. As shown, basestation 604 may be in communication (or supporting) licensed band cell1004 as well as unlicensed band cells 1012 a and 1012 b. Note thatlicensed band cell 1004 may provide connections in a licensed spectrumwhereas unlicensed band cells 1012 a and 1012 b may provide connectionsin an unlicensed spectrum. Further, UE 1006, which may be a UE 106, maybe located within unlicensed band cell 1012 a as well as licensed bandcell 1004. Licensed band cell 1004 may broadcast master informationblock (MIB) 1010, cell RMSI 1012, and other system information blocks(SIBs) 1014. Similarly, unlicensed band cells 1012 a and 1012 b may alsobroadcast respective MIBs 1010. Thus, the UE 1006 may camp on thelicensed band cell 1004 (e.g., via communications with base station 604)and may remain in an idle or inactive state. Upon entering a connectedstate, licensed band cell 1004 may direct (or redirect) the UE 1006 tounlicensed band cell 1012 a.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate signaling diagrams of examples of signalingfor a licensed band cell to redirect a user equipment device to anunlicensed band cell, according to some embodiments. The signaling shownin FIGS. 11A and 11B may be used in conjunction with any of the systemsor devices shown in the above Figures, among other devices. In variousembodiments, some of the signaling shown may be performed concurrently,in a different order than shown, or may be omitted. Additional signalingmay also be performed as desired. As shown, the signaling may flow asfollows.

As shown in FIG. 11A, at 1102, a UE, such as UE 1006 may camp (e.g., viaa RACH procedure) on a licensed band cell, such as licensed band cell1004. Licensed band cell 1004 may be supported by a base station, suchas base station 604 (which may be a gNB, e.g., a 5G NR base station asdescribed above). At 1104, licensed band cell 1004 may broadcast cellinformation, e.g., as described above. Based on the broadcasted cellinformation, at 1106 the UE 1006 may decide to access the network andmay, at 1108, transmit an RRC connection request and/or an RRC resumeconnection request to the licensed band cell 1004. At 1110, the licensedband cell 1004 may transmit a request to switch the UE 1006 to anunlicensed band cell, such as unlicensed band cell 1012 a. In someembodiments, the redirection (or switching) of the UE to the unlicensedband cell may be based on any, any combination of, and/or all of anetwork policy, network load (and/or network traffic conditions), acapability of the UE, and/or position (e.g., geographic location) of theUE. At 1112, unlicensed band cell 1012 a may transmit a cellconfiguration to licensed band cell 1004. Note that unlicensed band cell1012 a may also be supported by base station 604. Upon receipt of theunlicensed band cell configuration, the licensed band cell 1004 may, at1114, transmit an RRC setup message to the UE 1006. In some embodiments,the RRC setup message may include an indication of a switch to theunlicensed band cell (e.g., unlicensed band cell 1012 a). In someembodiments, the RRC setup message may also include an identifier forthe unlicensed band cell (e.g., a U-Cell ID), the unlicensed band cell'scell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) as well as theunlicensed band cell's configuration requirements for CONNECTED mode.Upon receipt of the RRC setup message, the UE 1006 may, at 1116, acquiredownlink timing from the unlicensed band cell 1012 a and also perform aradio quality check at 1118. Further, upon confirming the radio qualityand/or downlink timing, the UE 1006 may, at 1120, transmit an RRCconnection complete message to the unlicensed band cell 1012 a. Inresponse, the unlicensed band cell 1012 a may transmit, at 1112, aconfirmation of the switch of the UE 1006 to the licensed band cell1004. At 1124, the UE 1006 and the unlicensed band cell 1012 a may thencommence data transmissions.

As shown in FIG. 11B, at 1102, a UE, such as UE 1006 may camp on alicensed band cell, such as licensed band cell 1004. Licensed band cell1004 may be supported by a base station, such as base station 604 (whichmay be a gNB, e.g., a 5G NR base station as described above). At 1104,licensed band cell 1004 may broadcast cell information, e.g., asdescribed above. Based on the broadcasted cell information, the UE 1006may decide, at 1106, to access the network and may transmit, at 1108, anRRC connection request and/or an RRC resume connection request to thelicensed band cell 1004. At 1110, the licensed band cell 1004 maytransmit a request to switch the UE 1006 to an unlicensed band cell suchas unlicensed band cell 1012 a. In some embodiments, the redirection (orswitching) of the UE to the unlicensed band cell may be based on any,any combination of, and/or all of a network policy, network load (and/ornetwork traffic conditions), a capability of the UE, and/or position(e.g., geographic location) of the UE. At 1112, unlicensed band cell1012 a may transmit a cell configuration to licensed band cell 1004.Note that unlicensed band cell 1012 a may also be supported by basestation 604. Upon receipt of the unlicensed band cell configuration, thelicensed band cell 1004 may transmit, 1114, an RRC setup message to theUE 1006. In some embodiments, the RRC setup message may include anindication of a switch to the unlicensed band cell (e.g., unlicensedband cell 1012 a). In some embodiments, the RRC setup message may alsoinclude an identifier for the unlicensed band cell (e.g., a U-Cell ID),the unlicensed band cell's cell radio network temporary identifier(C-RNTI) as well as the unlicensed band cell's configurationrequirements for CONNECTED mode. Upon receipt of the RRC setup message,the UE 1006 may, at 1116, acquire downlink timing from the unlicensedband cell 1012 a and also perform a radio quality check at 1118.Further, upon confirming that the radio quality and/or downlink timingare not sufficient for transmissions, the UE 1006 may transmit, at 1126,an RRC connection failure message to the licensed band cell 1012 a. TheRRC connection failure message may indicate that the connection tounlicensed band cell 1012 a failed. In some embodiments, the RRCconnection failure message may indicate a cause of the failure, e.g.,unlicensed band cell not found, unlicensed band cell found but signalingtimeout, and so forth. In response, the licensed band cell 1004 maytransmit, at 1128, an indication of failure of the switch of the UE tothe unlicensed band cell 1012 a. The UE 1006 and the licensed band cell1004 may then commence data transmissions at 1130.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate signaling diagrams of examples of signalingfor an unlicensed band cell to release a user equipment device to alicensed band cell, according to some embodiments. The signaling shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B may be used in conjunction with any of the systemsor devices shown in the above Figures, among other devices. In variousembodiments, some of the signaling shown may be performed concurrently,in a different order than shown, or may be omitted. Additional signalingmay also be performed as desired. As shown, the signaling may flow asfollows.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a UE, such as UE 1006, may be, at 1202, camped onan unlicensed band cell, such as unlicensed band cell 1012 a and may beperforming data transmissions 1124 with the unlicensed band cell 1012 a.Note that unlicensed band cell 1012 a may also be supported by basestation 604 (which may be a gNB, e.g., a 5G NR base station as describedabove). The unlicensed band cell 1012 a may transmit, at 1204, an RRCconnection release to the UE 1006. The RRC connection release mayinclude an indication or identifier for licensed band cell 1004, whichmay also be supported by base station 604. The UE 1006 may, at 1206,receive a reference signal from licensed band cell 1004. At 1208, the UE1006 may use the reference signal to acquire timing and check radioquality on the licensed band cell 1004. At 1210, the UE 1006 may camp(e.g., camping criteria are satisfied) on licensed band cell 1004 andmonitor paging and/or system information received from broadcasts bylicensed band cell 1004 at 1212.

As shown in FIG. 12B, a UE, such as UE 1006, may be, at 1202, camped onan unlicensed band cell, such as unlicensed band cell 1012 a and may beperforming data transmissions 1124 with the unlicensed band cell 1012 a.Note that unlicensed band cell 1012 a may also be supported by basestation 604 (which may be a gNB, e.g., a 5G NR base station as describedabove). The unlicensed band cell 1012 a may transmit, at 1204, an RRCconnection release to the UE 1006. The RRC connection release mayinclude an indication or identifier for licensed band cell 1004, whichmay also be supported by base station 604. The UE 1006 may, at 1206,receive a reference signal from licensed band cell 1004. At 1208, the UE1006 may use the reference signal to acquire timing and check radioquality. Upon confirming that the radio quality and/or downlink timingare not sufficient for transmissions, the UE 1006 may initiate cellreselection at 1214. In some embodiments, the cell reselection and/or anew cell selection may not be restricted to a licensed band cell on the5G NR RAT and may include eLTE and/or any legacy RAT such as LTE-A, LTE,WCDMA, GSM, and so forth.

As another example, FIG. 13 illustrates another possible deployment oflicensed and unlicensed band cells, according to some embodiments. Asshown, base station 604 may be in communication (or supporting) licensedband cell 1304 but not unlicensed band cells 1312 a and 1312 b. Notethat licensed band cell 1304 may provide connections in a licensedspectrum whereas unlicensed band cells 1312 a and 1312 b may provideconnections in an unlicensed spectrum. Further, UE 1006, which may be aUE 106, may be located within unlicensed band cell 1312 a as well aslicensed band cell 1304. Licensed band cell 1304 may broadcast masterinformation block (MIB) 1310, cell RMSI 1312, other system informationblocks (SIBs) 1314, as well as cell RMSIs 1316 associated withunlicensed band cells (e.g., unlicensed band cells 1312 a and 1312 b)within licensed band cell 1304. Similarly, unlicensed band cells 1312 aand 1312 b may also broadcast respective MIBs 1310 and cell RMSIs 1316.Thus, the UE 1006 may camp on the licensed band cell 1304 (e.g., viacommunications with base station 604) and may remain in an idle orinactive state. In some embodiments, the UE 1006 may detect a suitableunlicensed band cell for access. Further, upon initiating access withthe network, the UE 1006 may detect an unlicensed band cell (e.g.,unlicensed band cell 1312) with sufficient signal quality and initiateaccess with the detected unlicensed band cell.

FIG. 14 illustrates a signaling diagram of example of signaling for auser equipment device to initiate access to an unlicensed band cell,according to some embodiments. The signaling shown in FIG. 14 may beused in conjunction with any of the systems or devices shown in theabove Figures, among other devices. In various embodiments, some of thesignaling shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order thanshown, or may be omitted. Additional signaling may also be performed asdesired. As shown, the signaling may flow as follows.

As shown, a UE, such as UE 1006, may, at 1404, receive a broadcastmessage from a licensed band cell, such as licensed band cell 1304. At1406, based on information in or indicated by the broadcast message, theUE 1006 may determine to access the network. At 1418, the UE 1006 mayreceive a reference signal for unlicensed band cell 1312 a. At 1420, theUE 1006 may determine signal quality based on the received referencesignal. At 1422, in response to determining that the signal quality issufficient (e.g., greater than a threshold), the UE 1006 may initiateaccess with the unlicensed band cell 1312 a. The UE 1006 and theunlicensed band cell 1312 a may then commence data transmissions at1424.

FIG. 15A illustrates a block diagram of an example of a method for a UEto switch from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed band cell,according to some embodiments. The method shown in FIG. 15A may be usedin conjunction with any of the systems or devices shown in the aboveFigures, among other devices. In various embodiments, some of the methodelements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order thanshown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also beperformed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At 1502, a UE, such as UE 106, may camp on a licensed band cell, such aslicensed band cell 1004, of a radio access network (RAN). In someembodiments, the RAN may operate according to Fifth Generation New Radio(5G NR) protocol. In some embodiments, the RAN may operate accordingE-UTRA, e.g., LTE and/or LTE-A, protocol.

At 1504, the UE may transmit a request to connect to the licensed bandcell. In some embodiments, the request may be transmitted in response toreceiving first information from the licensed band cell. In someembodiments, a request to connect/resume may include a radio resourcecontrol connection/resume request. In some embodiments, the connectionsetup/resume message may indicate at least one of (and/or any, anycombination of, and/or all of) an identifier for the unlicensed bandcell, a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for theunlicensed band cell, and/or configuration requirements for CONNECTEDmode on the unlicensed band cell.

At 1506, the UE may receive, from the licensed band cell, a connectionsetup message indicating that the UE switch to an unlicensed band cell,such as unlicensed band cell 1012 a, of the RAN. In some embodiments, abase station, such as base station 604 may support both the licensedband cell and the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, switchingthe UE to the unlicensed band cell may be based on at least one of(and/or any, any combination of, and/or all of) network policy, networkload and/or network traffic conditions, a capability of the UE, and/or aposition (or geographic location) of the UE, e.g., relative to theunlicensed band cell.

At 1508, the UE may transmit a connection message and/or a resumecomplete message to the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, theconnection message and/or resume complete message may be transmitted inresponse to confirming based, at least in part on a reference signalreceived from the unlicensed band cell, radio quality and/or downlinktiming of the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, the UE mayperform data transmissions with the unlicensed band cell. In someembodiments, the connection/resume complete message may include a radioresource control connection complete message.

In some embodiments, the UE may transmit a connection message and/or aresume complete message to the licensed band cell in response toconfirming, based at least in part of the reference signal, radioquality and/or downlink timing of the unlicensed band cell is notsatisfactory. In such embodiments, the UE may perform data transmissionswith the licensed band cell. In some embodiments, the connection/resumecomplete message may include a radio resource control connectioncomplete message.

In some embodiments, the UE may receive, from the unlicensed band cell,a connection release message. Additionally, the UE may receive areference signal from the licensed band cell and determine, based atleast in part on the reference signal, to camp on the licensed bandcell. In some embodiments, the connection release message may include anindication of redirecting the UE to licensed band cell and mayoptionally include an identifier of the licensed band cell. In someembodiments, the UE may determine that the licensed band cell is notsuitable for camping and may perform a cell selection (or reselection)procedure. In some embodiments, the cell selection (or reselection)procedure may be limited on (or to) the licensed band.

FIG. 15B illustrates a block diagram of an example of a method for anetwork to switch a UE from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed bandcell, according to some embodiments. The method shown in FIG. 15B may beused in conjunction with any of the systems or devices shown in theabove Figures, among other devices. In various embodiments, some of themethod elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a differentorder than shown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may alsobe performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At 1522, a network entity, such as licensed band cell 1004 and/or basestation 604, may receive a request to connect to a licensed band cellfrom a user equipment device (UE), such as UE 106. In some embodiments,the network entity may broadcast cell information and the request toconnect may be responsive to the UE receiving the cell information. Insome embodiments, base station may operate according to Fifth GenerationNew Radio (5G NR) protocol. In some embodiments, the base station mayoperate according E-UTRA, e.g., LTE and/or LTE-A, protocol. In someembodiments, the request to connect may include a radio resource controlconnection request.

At 1524, the network entity may transmit, after determining to directthe UE to connect to an unlicensed band cell within range of the UE, arequest to switch the UE to the unlicensed band cell, such as unlicensedband cell 1006. In some embodiments, a base station, such as basestation 604, may support the licensed band cell and the unlicensed bandcell. In some embodiments, switching the UE to the unlicensed band cellmay be based on at least one of (and/or any, any combination of, and/orall of) network policy, network load and/or network traffic conditions,a capability of the UE, and/or a position (or geographic location) ofthe UE, e.g., relative to the unlicensed band cell.

At 1526, the network entity may receive, from the unlicensed band cell,configuration information for the unlicensed band cell. In someembodiments, the configuration information may include at least one of(and/or any, any combination of, and/or all of) an identifier for theunlicensed band cell, a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI)for the unlicensed band cell, and/or configuration requirements forCONNECTED mode on the unlicensed band cell.

At 1528, the network entity may transmit, to the UE, a setup/resumemessage indicating the switch to the unlicensed band cell to the UE. Insome embodiments, the connection setup/resume message may indicate atleast one of (and/or any, any combination of, and/or all of) theidentifier for the unlicensed band cell, the cell radio networktemporary identifier (C-RNTI) for the unlicensed band cell, and/orconfiguration requirements for CONNECTED mode on the unlicensed bandcell.

In some embodiments, the network entity may receive, from the UE, aconnection/resume complete message that may indicate a failure of the UEto connect to the unlicensed band cell. In such embodiments, the networkentity may perform, with the UE, data transmissions via the licensedband cell.

FIG. 16A illustrates a block diagram of another example of a method fora UE to switch from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed band cell,according to some embodiments. The method shown in FIG. 16A may be usedin conjunction with any of the systems or devices shown in the aboveFigures, among other devices. In various embodiments, some of the methodelements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order thanshown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also beperformed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At 1602, a UE, such as UE 106, may camp on a licensed band cell, such aslicensed band cell 1004, of a radio access network (RAN). In someembodiments, the RAN may operate according to Fifth Generation New Radio(5G NR) protocol. In some embodiments, the RAN may operate accordingE-UTRA, e.g., LTE and/or LTE-A, protocol. In some embodiments, the UEmay acquire paging and system information on the licensed band cell. Insome embodiments, the UE may receive, from the licensed band cell whilecamping on the licensed band cell, the unlicensed band cell remainingminimum system information (RMSI).

At 1604, the UE may receive a reference signal from an unlicensed bandcell, such as unlicensed band cell 1006. In some embodiments, theunlicensed band cell may be one of a plurality of unlicensed band cells.In such embodiments, the UE may receive reference signals from theplurality of unlicensed band cells and determine to access theunlicensed band cell based on a comparison of signal quality of thereference signal to a threshold.

At 1606, the UE may assess radio quality and/or downlink timing of theunlicensed band cell based, at least in part, on the reference signal.In some embodiments, the UE may transmit a connection message and/or aresume complete message to the unlicensed band cell. In someembodiments, the connection message and/or resume complete message maybe transmitted in response to confirming based, at least in part on areference signal received from the unlicensed band cell, radio qualityand/or downlink timing of the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments,the connection/resume complete message may include a radio resourcecontrol connection complete message.

At 1608, the UE may perform data transmissions with the unlicensed bandcell. In some embodiments, the UE may receive, from the unlicensed bandcell, a connection release message. Additionally, the UE may receive areference signal from the licensed band cell and determine, based atleast in part on the reference signal, to camp on the licensed bandcell. In some embodiments, the connection release message may include anindication of redirecting the UE to licensed band cell and mayoptionally include an identifier of the licensed band cell. In someembodiments, the UE may determine that the licensed band cell is notsuitable for camping and may perform a cell selection (or reselection)procedure. In some embodiments, the cell selection (or reselection)procedure may be limited on (or to) the licensed band.

FIG. 16B illustrates a block diagram of another example of a method fora network to switch a UE from a licensed band cell to an unlicensed bandcell, according to some embodiments. The method shown in FIG. 16B may beused in conjunction with any of the systems or devices shown in theabove Figures, among other devices. In various embodiments, some of themethod elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a differentorder than shown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may alsobe performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At 1622, a network entity, such as unlicensed band cell 1006 and/or basestation 604, may receive, from a licensed band cell, such as licensedband cell 1004, a request to switch a UE, such as UE 106, camped on thelicensed band to the unlicensed band cell. In some embodiments, the basestation may support the unlicensed band cell and the licensed band cell.In some embodiments, base station may operate according to FifthGeneration New Radio (5G NR) protocol. In some embodiments, the basestation may operate according E-UTRA, e.g., LTE and/or LTE-A, protocol.In some embodiments, the request to connect may include a radio resourcecontrol connection request. In some embodiments, switching the UE to theunlicensed band cell may be based on at least one of (and/or any, anycombination of, and/or all of) network policy, network load and/ornetwork traffic conditions, a capability of the UE, and/or a position(or geographic location) of the UE, e.g., relative to the unlicensedband cell.

At 1624, the network entity may transmit, to the licensed band cell,configuration information for the unlicensed band cell. In someembodiments, the configuration information may include at least one of(and/or any, any combination of, and/or all of) an identifier for theunlicensed band cell, a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI)for the unlicensed band cell, and/or configuration requirements forCONNECTED mode on the unlicensed band cell.

At 1626, the network entity may transmit a reference signal for theunlicensed band cell to the UE.

At 1628, the network entity may receive a connection complete messagefrom the UE. In some embodiments, the connection complete message mayinclude a radio resource control connection complete message

In some embodiments, the network entity may perform data transmissionswith the UE. In some embodiments, the network entity may transmit, tothe UE, a connection release message. In some embodiments, theconnection release message may include an indication of redirecting theUE to licensed band cell and may optionally include an identifier of thelicensed band cell.

It is well understood that the use of personally identifiableinformation should follow privacy policies and practices that aregenerally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmentalrequirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular,personally identifiable information data should be managed and handledso as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use,and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be realized in any of variousforms. For example, some embodiments may be realized as acomputer-implemented method, a computer-readable memory medium, or acomputer system. Other embodiments may be realized using one or morecustom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Still other embodimentsmay be realized using one or more programmable hardware elements such asFPGAs.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable memory mediummay be configured so that it stores program instructions and/or data,where the program instructions, if executed by a computer system, causethe computer system to perform a method, e.g., any of the methodembodiments described herein, or, any combination of the methodembodiments described herein, or, any subset of any of the methodembodiments described herein, or, any combination of such subsets.

In some embodiments, a device (e.g., a UE 106) may be configured toinclude a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, wherethe memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor isconfigured to read and execute the program instructions from the memorymedium, where the program instructions are executable to implement anyof the various method embodiments described herein (or, any combinationof the method embodiments described herein, or, any subset of any of themethod embodiments described herein, or, any combination of suchsubsets). The device may be realized in any of various forms.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user equipment device (UE), comprising: atleast one antenna; at least one radio coupled to the at least oneantenna; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one radio;wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to:camp on a licensed band cell of a radio access network (RAN); receive,from the licensed band cell, an unlicensed band cell remaining minimumsystem information (RMSI); assess radio quality and/or downlink timingof the unlicensed band cell based, at least in part, on a referencesignal received from the unlicensed band cell; and perform datatransmissions with the unlicensed band cell.
 2. The UE of claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: determineto access the unlicensed band cell based on a comparison of signalquality of the reference signal to a threshold.
 3. The UE of claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: transmitone of a connection message or a resume complete message to theunlicensed band cell.
 4. The UE of claim 3, wherein one of theconnection message or resume complete message is transmitted in responseto the UE confirming based, at least in part, on the radio qualityand/or the downlink timing of the unlicensed band cell.
 5. The UE ofclaim 3, wherein the connection message or resume complete messageincludes a radio resource control connection complete message.
 6. The UEof claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:receive, from the unlicensed band cell, a connection release message,wherein the connection release message includes an indication thatredirects the UE to the licensed band cell.
 7. The UE of claim 6,wherein the connection release message includes an identifier of thelicensed band cell.
 8. The UE of claim 6, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: receive a reference signal from thelicensed band cell; and determine, based at least in part on thereference signal received from the licensed band cell, to camp on thelicensed band cell.
 9. The UE of claim 6, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: determine that the licensed bandcell is not suitable for camping; and perform one of a cell selectionprocedure or a cell reselection procedure.
 10. The UE of claim 9,wherein one of the cell selection procedure or cell reselectionprocedure is limited to the licensed band.
 11. A non-transitory computerreadable memory medium comprising program instructions executable by aprocessor of a user equipment device (UE) to: camp on a licensed bandcell of a radio access network (RAN); receive, from the licensed bandcell, an unlicensed band cell remaining minimum system information(RMSI); assess radio quality and/or downlink timing of the unlicensedband cell based, at least in part, on a reference signal received fromthe unlicensed band cell; and perform data transmissions with theunlicensed band cell.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable memorymedium of claim 11, wherein the program instructions are furtherexecutable by the processor of the UE to: determine to access theunlicensed band cell based on a comparison of signal quality of thereference signal to a threshold.
 13. The non-transitory computerreadable memory medium of claim 11, wherein the program instructions arefurther executable by the processor of the UE to: transmit one of aconnection message or a resume complete message to the unlicensed bandcell, wherein one of the connection message or resume complete messageis transmitted in response to the UE confirming based, at least in part,on the radio quality and/or the downlink timing of the unlicensed bandcell.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim11, wherein the program instructions are further executable by theprocessor of the UE to: receive, from the unlicensed band cell, aconnection release message, wherein the connection release messageincludes an indication that redirects the UE to the licensed band cell.15. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 14,wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processorof the UE to: determine that the licensed band cell is not suitable forcamping; and perform one of a cell selection procedure or a cellreselection procedure, wherein one of the cell selection procedure orcell reselection procedure is limited to the licensed band.
 16. Anapparatus, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor incommunication with the memory; wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to: camp on a licensed band cell of a radio access network(RAN); receive, from the licensed band cell, an unlicensed band cellremaining minimum system information (RMSI); assess radio quality and/ordownlink timing of the unlicensed band cell based, at least in part, ona reference signal received from the unlicensed band cell; and performdata transmissions with the unlicensed band cell.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:determine to access the unlicensed band cell based on a comparison ofsignal quality of the reference signal to a threshold.
 18. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is further configuredto: transmit one of a connection message or a resume complete message tothe unlicensed band cell.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein theconnection message or resume complete message includes a radio resourcecontrol connection complete message.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive,from the unlicensed band cell, a connection release message, wherein theconnection release message includes an indication of redirection to thelicensed band cell, and wherein the connection release message includesan identifier of the licensed band cell.